How weakening the WR room and strengthening the running game affects Justin Herbert

How will the Los Angeles Chargers’ massive offseason personnel changes impact Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert?

CBS Sports’ Brandon Howard, for one, believes Los Angeles’ new emphasis on a running game could weaken its numbers — but lead to more wins under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.

“After trading Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick and releasing Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett, the Chargers will have to replace 236 receptions from a season ago,” Howard writes. “Between last year’s first-round selection Quentin Johnston, this year’s second-round pick Ladd McConkey, and free agent signing DJ Chark Jr., the Chargers’ revamped wide receiver corps will attempt to making up for the production they lost in the offseason However, replacing Allen’s 108 receptions alone represents a daunting task. Additionally, the Chargers have strengthened their running game by signing Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, as well. than tight end Will Dissly, known for his effectiveness as a blocker in a more run-oriented offense in 2024. While this approach may impact Justin Herbert’s stats, it could lead to an overall improvement in goals. team performance.

Last season, Allen made his sixth Pro Bowl team. In just 13 games, the 6-foot-2 Cal Berkeley product caught 108 receptions on 150 targets for 1,243 total yards (averaging 11.5 per) and seven touchdowns. At 32, he might soon be in some sort of decline, but going from a star wideout to late prime certainly seemed a bit preemptive.

Herbert, on the other hand, posted solid numbers while being limited to 13 games. The 6-foot-6 former Oregon Duck completed 297 of 456 total pass attempts, totaling 3,134 total yards and 20 touchdowns.

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